PLAYER of the year Neil Austin yesterday put himself in contention for a return to first-team action after playing an hour for Hartlepool United reserves.

The right-back has not played since suffering an ankle injury on the opening day, forcing him on the sidelines for seven games.

But an hour’s unscathed action in the 2-0 win over Scunthorpe yesterday means he could start in Saturday’s League One encounter with Exeter at Victoria Park.

Austin was an unused substitute in last weekend’s loss at MK Dons.

Micky Barron was in charge of the reserve side yesterday and admitted: “You know what to expect from Neil, he’s a whole-hearted player who gives in all in every game.

“We know he is an important player in the squad for us and it was great to see him come back, get those minutes under his belt, and put himself back in the frame.’’ Pools goals came as halftime approached at Billingham Town’s Bedford Terrace.

Peter Hartley’s searching ball found Colin Larkin and he played the ball into the path of Denis Behan who scored.

Four minutes later, Larkin played in Billy Blackford and his shot was knocked in by Michael Mackay.

Hartley went close to adding to the scoreline in a tame second-half, his shot from 30 yards saved by the diving goalkeeper, as Pools bounced back from last week’s 2-0 loss to Gateshead.

Pools: Mooney; Austin (Purvis 60), Bjornsson, Johnson, Hartley; McSweeney, Blackford (Martin 65), Fredriksen, Mackay; Behan (Hassan 76), Larkin. Subs (not used): Richards, Snaith.

■ Liam Lawrence flew back to England yesterday uncertain over which club he was returning to.

The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder thought he had completed a move to Championship side Portsmouth from Stoke ahead of the transfer deadline, only to discover the required documentation had not been processed in time.

Lawrence knew nothing about the hitch until yesterday when he was informed by international skipper Robbie Keane, who had seen a television report, and quickly contacted his agent.

Lawrence said: ‘‘Robbie Keane came in at dinner and said, ’Have you seen the telly?’, and I said, ’No, why?

What has gone on now?’ He said, ’You had better ring your agent, then’.

“I spoke to my agent and said, ‘What’s going off?’, and he said the deal had not gone through properly, it was a few minutes late or some rubbish.

But we had four minutes to go when we sent the fax off.”

He is keeping his fingers crossed that they can reach a fresh agreement which would perhaps see him join Pompey on an emergency loan deal with a view to making the move permanent at a later stage.